Shaft-tug



H; A. BIERLEY.

(No Model.)

SHAFT TUG.

No. 002,050. Patented A r. 12,1898.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. BIERLEY, OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.

SHAFT-TUGQ SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 602,050,dated April 12, 1898.

Application filed July 19, 1897. Serial No..645,014. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. BIERLEY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Portsmouth, Scioto county, State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in- Sh'aft-Tugs; and I dodeclare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description of theinvention, such as' will enable others skilled in the art to' which itappertains to make and use the same, attention being called to theaccompanying drawings, with the reference-numerals marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shaft-tugs, which are devicesforming a part of many kinds of harness used for hitching horses to andbetween the shafts of vehicles. The particular function of these tugs isto hold up the shafts to either side of the flanks of the horse.

My improved shaft-tug relates to that kind which are of metal and may beopened laterally for the purpose of admitting the shaft.

My invention consists of certain details of construction, which will befully explained in the following specification, and particularly pointedout in the claim, which contains a complete description of the invention,its mannected to a shaft and in position on the horse.

Fig. 2, in a similar View, shows a modified manner of attachment to theshaft. Fig. 3, also in a similar view, shows a tug with shaft omittedand in its relation to other parts of the harness. Fig. 4 is an enlargedside view of the tug and adjacent parts ofthe harness. Figs. 5 and 6,still more enlarged, are crosssectional views on lines 5 5 and 6 6 ofFig. 4.

The main part of the tug consists of a flat piece of metal shaped, asshown, to form a substantially semicircular bearing 9 in its lower part,which receives the shaft, and has two upwardly-projecting members 10 and11, between which said shaft is introduced. The

opening between these members is kept closed by a spring-pressedlocking-tongue 12, which is pivotally connected to the upper end ofmember 10, lugs 13 being provided on the latter and lugs 14 on tongue12, all of which.

11, one end of said spring bearing against the under side of the tongue,the other against member 10, as shown. The upper end of member 10 isbent over, as shown, to form a barrel 17, which covers and protects thespring and also serves as a means to connect a loop 18, to which in turna buckle 19 connects, whereby the tug is attached to the side straps 21,depending from the saddle 22.

The end of strap 21 is received and secured by a box 23, adjustablysupported on tongue 12 by having its ends sliding in grooves 20 on theunder side of the latter and provided with a screw 25, whereby it may belocked with the end of strap 21 clamped between. To prevent the shaftfrom bobbing up and down within the tug, guard 24 is provided, which iscarried by the lower end of tongue 12. When the latter is opened, thisguard moves through an opening 30 in member 10, so as to be out of theway and permit insertion of the shaft. On the lower part of the tug is aloop 26, which receives the belly-band 28: To prevent lengthwise movingof the tug on the shaft, which by rubbing would injure the latter andcause wear of the parts, a loop 29. is

to the shaft the backing-strap 31, being pro vided with a suitable catch32, may also be secured'to the tug instead of to the shaft.

Having described my invention, I claim as In a shaft-tug, thecombination of the'shaftbearing 9, upwardly-projecting members 10 springmentioned and for securing loop 18 to and 11, a tongue 12, a pin wherebyit is pivthe tug. V 10 otaily connected to the upper end of member Intestimony whereof I hereunto aflix my .10, a coil-spring supported onthis pin, a loop signature in presence of two Witnesses.

5 18 secured to the upper end of the tug, and a. HENRY A. BIERLEY.

barrel 17 formed thereat by bending and turn- Witnesses: V ing over theupper end of member 10, said ARTHUR KLINE,

barrel forming means for protecting the coil- 0. SPENGEL.

